Driving-axle structure for automobiles



Nov. 3., 1925- 1,559,633

" T. J. LINDSAY DRIVING AXLE STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June-25, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet J.

auwwto'c f/mmao'jd Z/hasay atbgwma Nov. 3, 1925- T. J. LINDSAY DRIVING AXLE STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES F1184 June 25, 191a 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 #1 3 II a [f/ V r I I S III q ,'l d :1

INVENTOR;

v Thomas Lindsay Nbv. 3,1925. 1,559,633

. "r. J. LINDSAY DRIVING AXLE STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed une 25, 1918 a 4 Sheets-Sheet a "Illllllllllll i Thomas J. 107% 4 .Sheets-Swt 4 lNVmToRQq-f I fflamasd. Ana's-0y ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 19252 'r. J. LINDSAY DRIVING AXLE STRUCTURE FOR AUTQIIOBILES Filed June 25, 1918 Yf/ M/ M .a ,1 MW

Patented Nov. 3, 1925.

N ETE-D BARTS GOIIIPAN'Y', 0E INDI ANAPGIQIS,

mamas. .J. LINDSAY, an .INBIANAPQI'IIS, manna, 'assrenee enre rew i -AXLE; mawre a aleas- Appli ti n fil new; are. ea p. 2.%.

TO all'who m 2 ,22 may] concern.

Be it known that I, T omas State of nd ana, ave im tated ertain new and useful, Improvements n Dr1v1ng:A le

Structure for Automobiles, Oi whiclflde lare the fo low ng to be a 1.11, lear ar d exact description. a i v a This inventionrelates to, a driving axle structure for automobiles the like and more particularly to improvements] in the driving mechanism supporting structure.

One of the objects. of the invention is to.

provide a driving axle structure tormedlet a number of independent un ts wh oh can be readily and independently separated from and; reassembled one upon thejother.

A further object 01. the il vfintion is to construct an internal gear driving necha nij-sm coupled with the inner endsoi the divided axle drive shaft and adapted to be driv di ec ly y h if rent l, t ain,

farming wi the int rnal g ar. driving mech n m and its supp r ing frame a tary ruct re p b at being nserted Wi hi and ramm d from a ma n s pp rtin pended claims.

A structure constitutim a preferred em-- bodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in Which:

Fig. I is a top plan view of. the axle structure embodying the present invention.

Fig. II is a rear elevation of the axle structure with the cap, for closing the opening in the main or central housing portion removed.

Jr; Ij r Ps X; I citizen of the United States, res ding at'In-g dianapolis, in the countyfot Marion and My invention v is clearly defined and pointed out in the ap-:

III is an enlarged, vertical, longie tud'lnal section throrwh line II"I'IIII of I,'I,fV"and VI.

F 1g, IV isan enlarged view showing the r he mi et-I0 ma n llOtlSlIlg PQItlOIl and the differential and" dr ving unit, the seetion being taken onthe' 00 differential mechanism jand the driving mechanism infull and the axlelhoufsing. in sect-1011', the section being taken substantially onthe line IVIV on Fig. n;

Fig. Vfis a detail, rear view of the central or main housing portion of the axle structure With'the cap removed.

Fig. VI is an enlarged, detaijhsectional view through the combined differential and driving unit, the section being taken on the line VI VI of Fi III. V

In general, the friving axlestructure. oi!

the present invention comprises five sepa rate and independent units. The main centralframe or housing comprises oneunit, and the differential, together'avith the necessary associated parts are Inountedina casing or frameto" form a second unit-, ,Which in'turn is mounted upon an intermediate frame or ca e. carrying the internalgear,

Wheels and -.orming" a third unit Whi 1 is detachably mounted in the central main. housing comprising the first unitythe latter having a removable cap, covering an opening through" which the second'fand third units as 'awho1e'are readily removed, The fourthja'nd fifth unitseach comprisea tubu lar casing'member having a] rotating driven aXle shaft section and a road Wheel together with the bearmgsand necessary assoolated'.

parts. The inner of the tubular 'casings of the last two units are removably connelcted to 'the main or central housing inember forming the first mentionedunit. Each of the above units'may be individually con structed, assembled and adjusted and the complete aX-le structure may then be pro,- duced by the mere assembling or connecting ofthe units one-With another, Which-in no. way involves the adjustment otthe hearings orthe various partsfofthe individual units.

For the sake'of convenience in the following detailed description, the main or central housing member is designated as unit A, the differential driving mechanism, together with its casing as unit G, the intermediate frame or casing for supportingthe last men-s tioned unit and the internal gear drive wheels as unit B, and the driving axle sections as units D and E, respectively.

The main or central housing member 10 shown in Figs. I, IV and V, which comprises unit A, is formed with a substantially cylindrical portion 11 provided with a forwardly projecting conical portion 12 having the cylindrical end portion 13 provided with the annular flange 14 arranged to be connected to the rear end of the torsion tube (not shown) by means of bolts or other suitable devices. .On each side of the central portion of the housing 10 is formed the enlarged annular or substantially cylindrical portions 15 from which extend the substantially J cylindrical, axle housing connecting portions 16. At the rear of the cylindrical portions 15 and 16 and the upper andlower horizontal walls of the casing is a vertically disposed outwardly projecting flange 17 to which is connected the removablecoveror capv 18 held preferably by means of the bolts 19, as shown in Fig. I, said cap being provided with the annular portions 20 co-operating with the annular portions 15 to form upon the main housing suitable caslngs'for the internal gear wheels 21, as shown 1n Figs. I, II and IV. When the cap or cover 18 is disconnected the entire contents of the housing 10 forming units B and C may be removed as a whole or as one complete unit without having to disconnect any other parts of the axle. v

The units D and E eachcomprise a tubular casing member, a rotating axle shaft and r a road'wheel (not shown), together with the bearings and other necessary associated partsl v The tubular casing member 22 of each of these units may be formed in a single piece or by connecting a number of separate parts constructed in any desired or suitable manner. The tubular member 22 is provided at its inner end with a flange23 seated in a pocket formed in the projecting portions 16 of the main housing and is secured therein by means'of the bolts 24.

Mounted on the outer end of each of the tubular members 22 is a brake mechanism designated generally by the numeral 25 which is not described specifically, it being understood that any well-known form of brake can be used that may be found desirable.

The axle housings 22 and the main housing 10 are adapted to be supported and braced by the rods 26 and 27, the extremities of which are connected in a well-known manner at the outer ends of the tubes 22, as shown in Figs. I and II.

Rotatably mounted in each of the axle housings 22 is a drivingaxle section 28, which, at its inner end, is provided with a head 29 engaging the bearing ring 30 provided with the ball bearings 31 held by the ring 32 seated within the bearing box 33 which projects into the enlarged portion of the axle housing 22 and is held against outward movement by the shoulder 34 on the housing, as shown in Fig. IV. The box 33 is provided with a thrust bearing comprising the inner and outer rings 35 and 36, respectively, between which are mounted ball bearings 87, the outer ring being seated upon the box and the inner ring upon the bearing ring 30. The box 33 is also provided with a dust guard 38 adapted to encircle the axle shaft 28, as shown in Fig. IV. The bearing box, together with itsmain and thrust bearings, is inserted upon the axle shaft from the outer end thereof and into engagement with the head 29, as shown, whereby the shaft is held against outward displacement within the housing. The outer'end of the axle shaft is provided with a suitable hub 39 for carrying a road wheel, (not shown).

Umt B comprising the mtermediate frame or cage upon which is mounted the internal ing the abutting flanges 47 connected preferably by the bolts 48, while'the front cylindrical portions 40 of the mating sections are provided with the abutting flanges 49 connected by the bolts 50, as shown in Fig. iv.

The cylindrical portion 40 is further provided with the annular flanges 51, seated upon the inwardly projecting annular flanges 52 and 53 of the forward cylindrical portion 7 12 of the main housing 10, as shown in Fig. IV. The front face of the conical portion 41 of the mating sections is seated upon the rear face of the annular flange 53 whereby the mating sections are held against forward displacement in the main housing and against rearward displacement therein by means of the bolts 45 through the feet 44 of the arms 43 which are clearly shown in Fig. III.

Rotatably mounted within the cylindrical portion 40 of the mating sections is the stub driving shaft 54having the collar or socket 55 provided with the removable slip joint member 56 shown in Fig. IV and adapted to seat within the rear end of the propeller shaft (not shown). The stub driving shaft 54 is further provided with the collars or bearings 57 seated within the cylindrical is seated in an annular recess formed in the sections of the differential casing at the point where the same are joinedtogether;

The hub of the spider is connected with the ring by the usual number of-pins 98 and 99, the differential pinions 100 being-jour naled upon the latter and adapted to mesh with the beveled gears 88, as shown in Fig.

In assembling unit C, just described, the

beveled gears 88 and plain bearings 90 are. inserted within'the hollow journals 85 over.

which may then be slipped the sleeve bear:

ings 84. The spider with the differential pinions may then be positioned upon one of the mating sections, after which the two sections are brought together and securedby thebolts 76, after which the stubshafts' 91 carrying the pinions 92 aredriveninto position within the sleeves 89. and the unit is complete andready to be placed 1n position upon the hubs of the intermediate frame or casing, the mating sections ofwlnch' are then-bolted together and the two combined units inserted within the main llOllSlDgiOI' casing 10. I

It w1ll be understood that when units B and C are removed'from the mam housing as a single unit, the internal driving gear. wheels 21 may be. removed fromthe frame by driving out the pins 66 from the rod. 64 and slipping off the retainer 65, which operation can be quickly done without disturbing or removing any" of the remaining parts i of the unit.

It will also be seen that in removing the intermediate frame or cage' from the mam shown and described, isv susceptible of COD-f siderable'variation without departing from the spirit thereof, and, therefore, I de-.' sire to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicatedby :the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A driving axle structure, comprising a main housing, a driving mechanism com-. posed of a driving shaft and a d fferential train adaptedto be driven thereby, and a frame or casing for said driving mechanism forming therewith a unit for independent separable attachment within said main housing when the axles are in normal position.

upon the structure, the said axles being provided with gears on their inner ends and co-operating with the differential train to drive the axles, thesaid gears being car-- ried by the frame and being separably connected with the ends of the axle.

2. A driving axle structure, comprising a main housing," a driving mechanism composed of-a driving shaft, a differential train driven thereby, a-- driving .gearftrain operativelyiconnected with said difierential train and the axle, a framefor said driving mechanism formingntherewith a unit forinde.- pendent separable. attachmentxwithin said main housing, andcapable on removal of carrying with it the gears from the inner ends ofthe axles, saidsgears forming part of the driving chain.

o. A driving axle structure, comprising a'main housing, a driving.mechanismc'om posed ofa differential train and a driving gear train operatn-ely connected therewith and a frame or casing for. said drivingmeclr ani'sm forming therewith a unit for independent separable attachment within said main housing, and capable on removalof carrying with. itthe gears from the inner ends of the axles, said gears formingpart of the driving chain. I I

L. A driving axle structure, comprising a mainhousing, a driving mechanism com-. posed of a drive shaft, a' gear train drive,

and means operativelvconnecting said.

drive shaft and gear train drive, and .a" frame supporting said driving mechanism' and forming therewith a unit for independent separable attachment within said main" housing, and-.capableon removal of carry? ing with it the gears from the 'inner ends; of the axles, said gears forming part of the driving chain..

5. A" driving axle structure, comprising a main housing, a driving mechanism consistin of a differential train and an in.-, t'erna gear drive and supporting means for said driving'mechanism forming therewith a unit for independent separable,v attachment Within said main housing.

6.:A driving axle structure, comprising a main housing, a driving mechanism consisting of a drive shaft, a differential train and an internal gear drive and supporting means for said driving mechanism forming therewith a unit for independent separable attachment within saidmain housing. 7

7. A driving axle structure, comprising.

' a main housing, a frame located between the inner ends of the axle sections, a driving gearjournaled upon said frame, an internal driving gearjournaled upon the frame and a difierential train operatively connecting said gears, said frame, driving gear; and internal driving gear forming, a unit forindependent separable attachment with said niain housing. 7 r V 8. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame located between the inner ends .of the axle sections, a driving gear rotatably mounted upon said frame, a differential train rotatably nounted upon the frame and driven by said gear, and a driving gear, ro-

portion 430 of the mating sections and is held against longitudinal movement by the annular flange 5.8 on said cyhndical portion,

as shown in Fig. VL At the rear end of the. stub shaft 54 and preferably integral therewith is the beveled gear 59 for driving the differential to. actuate the internal gears in a manner which will presently be explained.

The rearwardly extendingside members of theintermediate frame or casing are provided with the oppositely positioned hubs orbearing boxes 60hav1ng the sleeve linings or plain bearings. 61 in which are mounted the journals 62 preferably formed- :integral v with the internal gear wheels 2l, as shown in Fig. VI. Extending through die journals 62 of said Wheels are the bolts'or rods 6d,

the heads. of which are seated in pockets formed in the outer faces of the wheels, the

* projected into said recess, as shown in VI. Each of the gear wheels 21 is provided with two outwardly projecting semi-circular hub or coupling members 6.9 between which projects the coupling member which is preferably formed integral with the. head 29- of the axle shaft 28, said parts being removabl-y connected or coupled, as shown in- Fig. II.

Y The axle shafts are thus flexibly connected with the internal gear wheels and are driven thereby when the latter are rotated. The wheels 21 are provided with the inwardly projecting flanges 71 adapted to receive the internal gear rings 72 secured upon the wheels preferably by meansof the pins 78 as shown in Fig. VL The teeth of the internal gears are out upon; the rings in preference to being for-med integral with the flanges of the wheels. Unit 13, just described, may be said to comprise the two connected mating sections of the intermediate frame or cage with which are connected the internal gear wheels for rotating the axle sections above referred to.

The differential driving mechanism formingunit C will now be described. This unit, taken With unit B may, when connected, be

considered as one unit, since 'it is bodily removable from the main housing forming unit A, previously described. However, when the two halves of the intermediate frame or cage are separated, the differential and inner casing therefor comprise a sepa rate and distinct unit, as will hereinafter appear.

The differential; mechanism is, in. g neral, of a well-known type, alt-ljioug-hin the,

particular form shown-there are some ,de tails of construction; which are thought to benew. Unit 0 comprises the two. mat ing sections 74 and 74: forming for the differential, the section -74; being; adapted to receive the beveled gear 75,. mesh- I ing with the driving pinion 59 on the stub shaft 54. as shown inv Fig. V 1;. The beveled gear 75 and the two mating sections are rigidly connected by the bolts ti, the heads of which are countersunk or set n flush with the outer face of the gear opposite the thrust bearing comprising the lnucr and outer rings Z7." and 78 respectively and the intermediateri ng 7 9 provided with the ballrbeanv ings 80. The thrust bearing is'slipped overthe hub 81 of the right hand frame,nrember' 42 of the intermediate frame, as shown in Fig. VI, said hub. being threaded externally thereof to receive the internally threaded adjusting ring 82 by' which the thrust been ing may be adjusted relatively to; the bevel gear 75. Theside member of the opp mating section of the intermediate-"frat e or casing is also. provided with an inwardly extending hub, indicated at 8'3; 81 and 83 are adapted torec-eive the plain bearings 8d in which rotate the journals 815, preferably formed integral .withthe mat-J ing sections 74- and 74;: of-the differential casing, said SBGUODS. being provided with the annular shoulders-.86 which form seats for the flange portions 87 on the inner ends/of the sleeve or plain bearings 84. The flanges 87' of said bearings prevent outward dis-f placement of the same contacting with the inner faces of the hubs 82 and: 83.

Mounted within the casing" formed: by the mating sections 74" and T4: are the beveled gears 8'8 having the outwardly ezn.

tendingsleeve portions projecting into the hollow'journals of the casing, saidsleeveportions being rotatable in the plain bearings o-r lin-in s interposed between" said hollow j'o-urna s and said sleeve portions, as shown in Fig. VI.

The beveled gears 88 are held against outward displacementby engaging the. innerfaces of the casing.

Projecting through the sleeve portions 89 of said gears and splined thereon are the stub shafts 91 having on the outer ends there: of the pinions 92 for driving the internal gear wheels 21, which in turn drive the axle shafts 2 8. The stub or internal: gear driving shafts 91 are recessed as indicated at 93 in Fig. VI, whereby they are considerab-ly' lightened and the driving pinions are preferably formed integral therewith.

The inner ends ofsai d shafts are reduced to formthe journals 9%: which are mounted in the sleeve bearing- 95 inserted in the hub 96 of the differential spider ring 97' which The hubs.

Ill);

tata-bly mounted upon the frame exteriorly thereof and adapted to be driven said differential train.

9'. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame located between the inner ends of the axle sections, a driving gear mounted upon said,frame,:a difiyerential train mounted upon said frame adapted to be driven by said gear, and a pair of "internal drive gears operatively connected; with said differential train and removably mounted upon and exteriorl y of the frame 103. A driving axle structure, com-prising a frame, a driving gear mounted upon said frame, a differential train mounted. upon 7 said frame adapted to be driven by said gear, a pairof internal drive gears opera.- tivelyconnected with said differential train and removably mounted exteriorly,f the frame and driving axleshafts having their inner ends operatively connected with each of said internal drive gears.

11, A driving axle structure, comprising a main housing, a frame, and a. gear casing rotatably mounted upon said frame and forming therewith unit for independent separable attachment within said housing when the axle; sections are in normal position and gears; mounted on the frame and rotated through said c' asing;, the hubs of said gears having @a slidableconnection with the axle.

12, A drivingaxle structure, comprising a casing-thereforrotatable upon said frame, means upon the framefor actuating the casing, and internal, drive gear rotatably mounted upon the frame and opera- -tiively. connected with said differential train,

said frame and parts earried thereby formi-ng a unit 'forin'dependent separable attachment within said housing,

1-3. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame, a casing rotatably mounted upon said frame, a difier ntial tra nw thin said casing, oppositely-positioned internal driving gears rotatably mounted upon 1 the frame adjacent the inner ends ,of the axlesections for driving the same, eachof which is operatively connectedwith said differential train, and a driven gear upon the frame for rotating asingl A driving axle tr c u e, c mprising a fra e, a ca ing hav ng. oppos t y pea tioned bearings jou aled upon a d fram a clifierential train in said casing, a shaft adapted to :be driven by said diiferential train, apinio-n fixed-upon sai'gls'haft, an intern-a1 drivinggear rotatabiy nounted upon said frame and adapted to be actuated by said pinion, and an axle shaft operafiyely connected with said --in-tern -ai driving gear.

15. A driving axle structure, comprising frame, a .cas-ing'ha-ving oppositely positioned "bea-rings ionrnaled' upon said fifraine,

upon said frame, Y

frameand adaptedfto mesh with said pinions, anaxlef shaft, removably connected witheachof said internal driving gears, and means upon the framefor rotating said casing Y i 16; 'A drivingaxle structure, comprising a main housinga pair ofiax'le h s gs re: a

movably connect, ith the opposite sides,

of said main 11 us n-g,'- a ame supported within and h using remov ble. t eref m with theaxle sect-ions normalposition and "di e en ial-ca n a bla m un the frameand rotated gears mou d: 04 I rough said cas ng,

the hu s of a de ors having a l dab o Y nectio m itlthe 42 199 I 17. A dr v ng axle structure, compr s ng a housing haying a reduced ,front portion andaf rearwardly cx-tel ding enlarged por; tion, and a driving mechanism} frame re.- n owably mounted within said housing having a supporting member seated u onsaid trout: portion- .and r r a d y en s. s members provided with, laterally projecting arms se d Lip-0n sai s nlarged housing portion and a. drive gear member securedto the late a p j t ng m, a main-hous ng, a frame, a difierential train,

tion, and a driving mechanism supporting frame removably mounted within said hous- 11g, a v mediamsm lemen s; secure to t t am, sa d f m h n a s p rt n mem er connected with said reduced front portion ,and rear-War-dly' extending side ieinbers gconnected with said enlarged hoe-sine P rt o sa d f e i e m m r being provided, with a plurality of sets .of

aligned bearings. for revolublysupporting sets of the driving mechanism elements.

' 1 A dr ing x r cture, mpr s a housing, a frame: removably vmounted w th n s d h u ing w a a tr nt s rr n ember conneoted with the housing and rearwandly extending side members. secured upon and wholly Withinsaid housing,s a id side members being provided with oppositely positioned bearings andadiiferential casing provided with oppositely extending journals rotatable upon said bearings 20. A driving axle structure,comprising a housing, a frame removably mounted within said housing having a front supporting member conmected with thel ousing rearava-rdly extending side. members.

cured ow said h using, a d s de members beingprovidedzwith two setsof o po- -sitel-y positioned, bearings, a differential casing having oppositely extending hollow journals mounted upon the bearings of one of said sets a differential drive within said casing having operating connections rotatably mounted in said hollow ournals, pinions carried by said connections, internal driving gear wheels meshing with said pinions and having journals mounted in the other set of bearings, and means for rotating said dlfferential drive casing.

21. As an article of manufacture, an axle drive mechanism housing having a substantially cylindrical front portion provided with a rearwardly extending conical portion carrying'spaced circular members connected by transverse walls extending rearwardly from said conical portion.

22. As an article of'manufacture, an axle drive mechanism housing having a substantially cylindrical front portion provided with a rearwardly extending conical portion, carrying spaced circular members connected by transverse walls extendlng rearwardly fromsaid conical portion, said circular members being provided with laterally projecting cylindrical portions adapted for receiving the inner ends of the axle shaft housing.

23. As an article of manufacture, a supporting frame'for an axle drive mechanism provided with a substantlally CylIIIdIlCZIl front portion having an enlarged conical portion terminating in spaced rearwardly extending side members provided with a plurality ,of-alined bearings and carrying laterally projecting supporting arms.

'24. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame'provided with'a supporting front portion from which extends an enlarged body portion terminating in spaced rearwardly extending side members carrylng laterally projecting supportlng arms, said side members being provided with two sets of aligned bearings, one of which is adapted to receive the journals of a differential casing, and the other the journals of a pair'of internal drive gear wheels.

25. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame composed of two adjacent sections having a supporting front portion from which extends an enlarged body portion terminating in spaced rearwardly extending side members provided with inturned abutting members, said side members being provided with a palr of aligned bearings adapted to receive the journals of a differential driving gear casing, and means connecting said frame sections.

26. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame composed. of two connected sections having a supporting front portion from which extends an enlarged body portion terminating in spaced rearwardly extending side members provided with transversely ex tending connected portions, said side members being provided with a plurality of aligned bearings and with laterally extending arms forming means by which the rear end of the frame is mounted upon a support.

27. A driving axle structure, comprising a frame having an end supporting member upon which is formed two spaced seating flanges, said'end supporting member having rearward'ly extending side members, the outer ends of which are provided with transversely extending connected portions and bearings formed upon said side members.

28 A driving axle structure comprising a housing and a driving mechanism within the housingincluding a difierentialtrain and a driving gear train driven thereby, the hubs of oppositely disposed gears in the driving gear train having sliding connections with the inner ends of the axles.

29. A driving axle structure comprising a housing and a driving mechanism within the housing including a difi'erential train, and an internal drive gear train driven thereby adapted for connection with the inner ends of the driving axle sections, the hubs of oppositely disposed gears in the driving gear train having sliding connections with the inner ends of the axles.

30. A driving axle structure comprising a housing and a driving mechanism within the housing including adifferential train, and a driving gear train driven thereby, said driving trains being insertable within and removablefrom the housing as a unit, the

hubs of oppositely disposed gears in the" driving gear train having sliding connections with the inner ends of the axles.

31. A driving axle structure comprising a housing and a driving gear supporting frame within the housing having oneportion carried by a central portion of the housing, and opposite portions connected with the top and bottom walls of the housing. V

32. A driving axle structure comprising a cage having a plurality of sets of spaced bearings, a driving gear casing mounted to rotate in one of saidsets of bearings, and a thrust bearing for said casing upon said cage, and gears mounted to rotate in another set of the hearings on the cage.

33. A driving axle structure comprising a cage having two sets of spaced bearings, a casing rotatable upon one of said sets of bearings, gears rotatable, upon the other set of bearings, a difi'erential train in said casing, means operatively connecting said differential train with said gears for actuating the same, and means for rotating said casing. I

3%. A driving axle structure comprising a cage having two sets of spaced bearings, a casing rotatable upon one of said sets of bearings, gears rotatable upon the other set of bearings, a difierential train in said we ing, means operatively connecting said'dif ferential train wlth said gears for actuatlng the same, means for rotatingsaid casing,

and a driving axle section operatively connected With each of said gears.

35. A driving axle structure comprising a cage having two sets of spaced bearings, a casing rotatably mounted upon one of said sets of bearings, gears rotatably mounted upon the other set of bearings, a difi'erential train in said casing,-a pair of shafts actuated by the casing, pinions carried by said shafts for, driving said gears, a driving axle section rotatahly connected With each of said gears, and driving means for rotating said casing. I

36. A driving axle structure comprising av cage, a casing rotatably mounted Within said cage, a differential geartrain Within said casing, internal drive gears rotatably mounted upon said-cage, pinions actuated by said casing for driving said gears, means by which said casing is rotated, and a driving axle section separably connected With each of saidgears. I

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

T oMAsJ. LINDSAY. 

